Species:

Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)

Razorbill (Alca torda)

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Length (cm):
45-55
37-39
Wingspan (cm):
45-55
63-68
Weight (gram):
565-870
524-890
Size group:
Crow-size
Crow-size
Main Texts:
Appearance:

Only about half the size of Great Cormorant.Diagnostic profile with long tail and short, thick neck. Steep forehead and short, dark bill. Adult breeding with fine white speckles on chest and neck. Immatures with varying degree of white breast or underparts. Bare skin in gular area only faintly yellow of pinkish. Flight usually low with rapid wingbeats and interspersed glides (often recalling coot). Perches upright.

Sound:

Mostly vocal at breeding ground. Short, nasal croaking sounds in series. Often alternating between deep and high note.

Contact call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Andre et Odile BOUCHER, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:doctor_forester, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

At a distance quite similar to Guillemot. Bill deep, rectangular and with white markings. Flanks unstreaked and armpits white. Tail longer than in Guillemot, with legs not protruding behind tail in flight. Tail often held clear of the surface when swimming. Cheeks white in winter, with broad, short and black eye stripe. Neck collar short and wide. Upperparts blacker, and underparts whiter than Guillemot. Heavy neck, head and bill, in combination with the long tail, gives it a front heavy, and different profile from Guillemot, whether perched, swimming or flying. Top of head in line with tip of uptilted bill when swimming.

Sound:

Very coarse and deep voice. Grunting or snore-like, with little phrasing. Mostly heard at breeding ground, but also sometimes at sea.

Contact call:

Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file


Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Sounds:Recorded by Simon Elliott,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license

Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Auks/Cormorants
Silhouette
Auks/Cormorants
Silhouette
Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species
Error loading Flash for sound!
See sound file